Structure and dynamics of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate via molecular dynamics and neutron diffraction.

The liquid state structure of the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C(2)mim][OAc]), an excellent nonderivitizing solvent for cellulosic biomass, has been investigated at 323 K by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and by neutron diffraction using the SANDALS diffractometer at ISIS to provide experimental differential neutron scattering cross sections from H/D isotopically substituted materials. Ion-ion radial distribution functions both calculated from MD and derived from the empirical potential structure refinement (EPSR) model to the experimental data show the alternating shell structure of anions around the cation, as anticipated. Spatial probability distributions reveal the main anion-to-cation features as in-plane interactions of anions with the three imidazolium ring hydrogens and cation-cation planar stacking above/below the imidazolium rings.

T-cadherin expression in cardiac allograft vasculopathy: bench to bedside translational investigation.

Background: Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the major limiting factor for long term survival after heart transplantation. The aim of this study was to identify gene candidates implicated in human CAV using a rat aortic allograft model in tandem with microarrays and quantitative real time PCR (Q-PCR).

Methods: Rat abdominal aortas were isografted (5) or allografted (5) from Brown-Norway to Lewis rats and grafts were harvested after day 8, 25 and 60.

The Health Informatics Trial Enhancement Project (HITE): Using routinely collected primary care data to identify potential participants for a depression trial.

Background: Recruitment to clinical trials can be challenging. We identified anonymous potential participants to an existing pragmatic randomised controlled depression trial to assess the feasibility of using routinely collected data to identify potential trial participants. We discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach, assess its potential value, report challenges and ethical issues encountered.

Investigation of low-dose ritonavir on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using gene expression whole genome microarrays.

Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor associated with metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease. We have investigated the effects of low-dose ritonavir treatment on gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 10 healthy donors. Results using whole genome Illumina microarrays show that ritonavir modulates a number of genes implicated in lipid metabolism, inflammation and atherosclerosis.

In vivo intravascular ultrasound analysis of the absorption rate of the Angio-Seal vascular closure device in the porcine femoral artery.

Aims: Device-based arterial closure is currently used to achieve haemostasis following percutaneous intervention. Little is known about the in vivo patterns of device absorption. We aimed to characterise the absorption dynamics following implantation of the Angio-Seal VIP closure device (AVCD) (St.

Cancer of the proximal colon after a "normal" colonoscopy.

In common with other diagnostic tests, colonoscopy has a false negative rate which is infrequently assessed. The available literature suggests that lesion miss rate is higher for proximal colonic tumors. A total of 367 patients were diagnosed with cancer of the colon and rectum over a period of 2 years.

Intracerebroventricular morphine for refractory cancer pain: transitioning to the home setting.

Refractory cancer pain may be effectively controlled by titrating intracerebroventricular (ICV) preservative-free opioid. In this case report, a continuous infusion of ICV morphine permitted our patient with lung cancer and painful spinal metastases to be discharged to home hospice with family. The approach exploits the high potency of morphine injected into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Is performance of intermittent intense exercise enhanced by use of a commercial palm cooling device?

The purpose of this study was to determine if using the CoreControl Rapid Thermal Exchange (RTX), a commercial palm cooling device, during active rest periods of multiple set training is an effective means to increase performance. Ten volunteers (5 men, 5 women) completed a VO2max test on a motorized treadmill and 3 interval running tests on a human powered treadmill. This treadmill allowed the subjects to quickly reach their running speed while allowing for measurement of distance, speed, and force.

Access to new magnetic cores in Fe(III) and Fe(III)/Cu(II) spin clusters.

The synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of [Fe(14)O(4)(OH)(4)(H(2)L)(2)(HL)(4)(piv)(20)] (1) and [Fe(8)Cu(2)O(4)(H(2)L)(4)(HL)(2)(OBz)(12)] (2) are reported (H(3)L = 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol): both complexes have unique core structures and display non-zero spin ground states.

Expression of DNA mismatch repair proteins and MSH2 polymorphisms in nonmelanoma skin cancers of organ transplant recipients.

Background: Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) have an increased risk of skin cancer. Treatment with azathioprine, commonly used in post-transplant immunosuppressive regimens, results in incorporation of 6-thioguanine (6-TG) into DNA. Mismatch repair (MMR)-defective cells are resistant to killing by 6-TG.

Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria isolated from older versus younger hospitalized adults: results of a two-centre study.

Objectives: To compare the proportion of antimicrobial-resistant strains among bacterial isolates from younger and older hospital patients and to quantify changes in the proportion of antimicrobial-resistant strains in both groups over time.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis of microbiology data from two centres in Maryland and Chicago was performed. Adult hospital inpatients with positive clinical cultures for specific antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pathogens between 1999 and 2005 (55 427 isolates) were included.

Presumed consent for organ preservation in uncontrolled donation after cardiac death in the United States: a public policy with serious consequences.

Organ donation after cessation of circulation and respiration, both controlled and uncontrolled, has been proposed by the Institute of Medicine as a way to increase opportunities for organ procurement. Despite claims to the contrary, both forms of controlled and uncontrolled donation after cardiac death raise significant ethical and legal issues. Identified causes for concern include absence of agreement on criteria for the declaration of death, nonexistence of universal guidelines for duration before stopping resuscitation efforts and techniques, and assumption of presumed intent to donate for the purpose of initiating temporary organ-preservation interventions when no expressed consent to donate is present.

Stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy in the treatment of skull base meningiomas.

Meningiomas are the most common nonglial brain tumors. They tend to be slow growing and benign and can reach substantial sizes before becoming symptomatic. Complete surgical resection of intracranial meningiomas remains the treatment of choice.

Quantitative analysis of cytokine-induced vascular toxicity and vascular leak in the mouse brain.

A storm of inflammatory cytokines is released during treatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), closely approximating changes initially observed during sepsis. These signals induce profound changes in neurologic function and cognition. Little is known about the mechanisms involved.

Stereotactic radiosurgery with or without whole brain radiotherapy for patients with a single radioresistant brain metastasis.

Purpose: To examine the outcomes of patients with a single brain metastasis from radioresistant histologies (renal cell carcinoma and melanoma) treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with or without whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT).

Methods And Materials: We reviewed the medical records of 27 patients treated at our institution between 2000 and 2007 with a single radioresistant brain metastasis. Patients were treated with Gamma Knife based SRS.

Endoscopists' estimation of size should not determine surveillance of colonic polyps.

Objective: Current British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines use adenomatous polyp size as one of the key factors in determining polyp follow-up. This study aimed to compare polyp size assessment by colonoscopists and pathologists before and after fixation to determine the optimal method for measurement.

Method: Thirty-five colorectal polyps were found during pre-arranged colonoscopies in one centre.

Blood-brain barrier disruption and intra-arterial methotrexate-based therapy for newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma: a multi-institutional experience.

PURPOSE Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is confined to the CNS and/or the eyes at presentation and is usually initially treated with intravenous methotrexate-based chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). However, the intact blood-brain barrier (BBB) can limit diffusion of methotrexate into brain and tumor. With BBB disruption (BBBD), enhanced drug delivery to the tumor can be achieved.

Brain death, states of impaired consciousness, and physician-assisted death for end-of-life organ donation and transplantation.

In 1968, the Harvard criteria equated irreversible coma and apnea (i.e., brain death) with human death and later, the Uniform Determination of Death Act was enacted permitting organ procurement from heart-beating donors.

Prevention of atherosclerosis in patients living with HIV.

Unlabelled: INVESTIGATIONAL PRODUCT: Rosuvastatin (Crestor; Astra Zeneca).

Active Ingredients: Rosuvastatin (5 mg).

Study Title: Prevention of Atherosclerosis in Patients Living with HIV.

Positive lymph node retrieval ratio optimises patient staging in colorectal cancer.

Alternative lymph node (LN) parameters have been proposed to improve staging in colorectal cancer. This study compared these alternative parameters with conventional TNM staging in predicting long-term survival in patients undergoing curative resection. A total of 295 consecutive patients (mean age 70 years; range 39-95; s.